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Updated: June 10, 2025
Then Offa and Ethelbert pledged each other, and the cheers of all the great company rose to hail them. Not long after that the queen and the ladies went their way, and we were left to end the evening with song and tale, after the old fashion. Those gleemen of Offa's court were skilful, and he had both Welsh and English harpers, who harped in rivalry.
A little way up on yon hill is Clawdd Offa or Offa's dyke, built of old by the Brenin Offa in order to keep us poor Welsh within our bounds." As we stood on the bridge I inquired of Jones the name of the brook which was running merrily beneath it. "The Ceiriog, sir," said John, "the same river that we saw at Pont y Meibion."
The great stronghold palace whither we were bound lay some miles northward, and it seemed right that we waited here till the next day, that into it we might pass with all travel stains done away with and in full state. Already there had been a royal camp pitched for us by Offa's folk, and I was glad that we had not to bide in the town.
"No," said Sighard savagely; "I have a mind to bid them burn this hall over Offa's head, and meet their end in the turmoil." "Thereby giving occasion to men to say that we wrought treason and were punished rightly, both ourselves and the king," said Selred coolly. "That be far from us, Sighard."
The bright little Lugg river lay on our left, and for a mile on that side on which we were the woods and hills were full of men, who drew together in a lessening curve as we rode slowly onward. It was good to hear the shouts and the baying of the hounds in the clear May morning. Men said it was Offa's last hunt of the season; and that is likely, seeing that the time grew late.
The morning was bright and clear, and I thought I had never seen so fair a procession as this with which the king went to meet his bride. I had heard much of this palace of Offa's from the Mercians and from Ethelbert himself, but it was a far stronger place than I had expected.
I fear our raid has made trouble for you, by bringing Offa's men on us in the hope we may be forced to return our booty." "Our fault, I fear, for keeping you here, prince," said I. "I think that of your kindness to us you have stayed longer near the river than you might have done at any other time." He smiled. "That were to credit me with too much," he said.
"Tell him that I have news for him. Or stay; I will go to him myself." The priests looked at one another, but they could not stop their lord; and with a sign to us to follow, he passed across the court again, up the long hall, and so into the council chamber. At the door which led to Offa's apartments there was a young thane on guard, but no others were to be seen.
"Why, mother, then surely in gaining the East Anglian throne for her daughter she gains all she would. And she is Offa's queen, and in his court can be no danger to me or any man. Presently you shall surely dream again, and that dream shall show you the old sorrow turned to joy, for you will have a fair daughter to drive away your loneliness.
Then said Ethelbert when we were halfway across the garden: "We shall have the company of that very fair lady to Offa's court. She is going to the queen as one of her ladies for a time, by our permission. Her mother was of Lincoln, and gave hospitality to Quendritha when she was first found on the shore. Then she married our thane of Mundesley here; whereby we have gained this fair subject."
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